Market Newsdesk

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — With rising summer temperatures threatening to cause even more financial hardship for people struggling to pay their energy bills, Duke Energy continues to support customers, connect them with available assistance, and offer tools and programs – including flexible payment plans – to help manage electric bills.  

Assistance programs

Duke Energy is reaching out to customers who are past due through email and/or text with information about utility assistance administered by agencies in their local communities.  

LIHEAP

This income-based program allows those earning below certain thresholds to qualify for federal energy bill assistance money through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program. The qualifying income thresholds are based on factors that include household income and the number of people living in a home. To learn how to qualify and apply for LIHEAP funds visit: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Emergency Rental Assistance Program / HOPE 2.0

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (HOPE 2.0) dollars are again available to help eligible customers pay past-due rent and utility bills dating back to March 13, 2020. Eligible applicants may receive up to 12 months of rent assistance, which may include up to nine months of past-due rent. The program also covers essential utilities, up to a maximum amount.

Complete details about the HOPE Program are available at Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)/HOPE 2.0 program  or applicants can call (888) 9ASK-HOPE.

Homeowner Assistance Fund

The Homeowner Assistance Fund is a new federal program established for homeowners experiencing a financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, as a result of  COVID-19. Funds will help prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and loss of utility service. Homeowners with an income equal to or less than 150% of the area median (average) income may be eligible. Learn more: Homeowner Assistance Fund 

Assistance agency funds

Some customers may also qualify for assistance from various government and nonprofit programs for utility bills and other household expenses. 211.org is a free service to help customers find local community agencies that can help meet a wide range of needs, including utility bills, housing, food and other essentials, child and elder care, medical expenses and health counseling. Customers can learn about agencies that serve their area, by dialing 211 or visiting nc211.org online.

In addition, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas customers can learn more about how community agencies can help by visiting our website. Resources are also available here for small business customers, from financial assistance to billing and payment options to professional guidance to manage their energy usage. 

Other assistance for managing utility bills

Budget Billing / Equal Payment Plan

Duke Energy’s Budget Billing and Equal Payment Plan options lets customers pay one predictable amount every month to better manage their budget. The amount is periodically reviewed and adjusted. Learn more about Budget Billing here and learn more about the Equal Payment Plan here.

Pick Your Due Date

With Pick Your Due Date, customers can choose the date they want their Duke Energy bill to be due each month. Combining Pick Your Due Date together with Budget Billing can give customers even more control over their energy bills. Learn more: www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/pick-your-due-date.

Installment Plans

Installment plans give customers more flexibility to pay a past-due balance over a longer period. Customers can request a few extra days or restructure the past-due balance into a monthly payment plan. Customers should contact Duke Energy to discuss options available to them:

• Duke Energy Carolinas: 800.777.9898
• Duke Energy Progress: 800.452.2777

Track, manage energy usage

Energy use typically spikes in the summer since air conditioning is one of the biggest energy users in your home. Customers can also easily track and adjust their usage when temperatures are highest.

• Smart meters provide customers with daily and hourly usage information to help them better understand their energy use and take steps to save energy and money. Video here.
• Duke Energy customers with smart meters also receive usage alerts through email and/or text halfway through their billing cycle, well before their bill arrives, with their current usage amount and a projection of what their final monthly bill could be.
• Customers can also set budget alerts, so they know when their bill reaches a specific dollar amount of their choosing, allowing them to adjust their usage and help save money on their bill.

Other energy-saving programs, tips and guidance to help you manage higher energy bills that can result from increased energy is available at Duke-Energy.com/Summer.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities – with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S. renewable energy provider, on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2021 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Pam Hardy
800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy

GEORGETOWN, Ky., Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — After thousands of miles of real-world testing in the harsh environment of commercial trucking, Toyota is preparing to further expand its portfolio approach to products by taking its groundbreaking hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric technology from prototypes to production in its efforts toward carbon neutrality.

Starting in 2023, a dedicated line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) will begin assembling integrated dual fuel cell (FC) modules destined for use in hydrogen-powered, heavy-duty commercial trucks. The FC modules bring Toyota’s electrification strategy further into focus as it will allow truck manufacturers to incorporate emissions-free fuel cell electric technology into existing platforms with the technical support of Toyota under the hood.

“We’re bringing our proven electric technology to a whole new class of production vehicles,” said Tetsuo Ogawa, president and chief executive officer, Toyota Motor North America. “Heavy-duty truck manufacturers will be able to buy a fully integrated and validated fuel cell electric drive system, allowing them to offer their customers an emissions-free option in the Class 8 heavy-duty segment.”

The dual fuel cell modules, which are a key component of an overall FC kit, weigh approximately 1,400 pounds and can deliver up to 160kW of continuous power. The FC kit also includes a high voltage battery, electric motors, transmission and hydrogen storage assembly from top-tier suppliers. Toyota will also offer its powertrain integration expertise that will help truck manufacturers adapt these emissions-free drivetrain systems to a wide variety of applications in the heavy-duty trucking sector. 

“This second-generation fuel cell system is necessary for a carbon neutral future,” says David Rosier, Toyota Kentucky powertrain head. “It delivers over 300 miles of range at a full load weight of 80,000 lbs., all while demonstrating exceptional drivability, quiet operation and zero harmful emissions.”

Toyota will display this technology at the 2021 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, California on Aug. 31-Sept. 1. A prototype truck powered by Toyota’s FC kit will also be on display at the show.

About Toyota


Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. 

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Media Contacts:

Kim Ogle

256-746-5407
[email protected]

Ed Hellwig

469-292-1165
[email protected]

 

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

BOTHELL, Wash., Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — BioLife Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLFS) (“BioLife” or the “Company”), a leading developer and supplier of class-defining bioproduction products and services for cell and gene therapies and the broader biopharma market, today announced that its common stock will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index effective prior to the opening of trading on Monday, August 30, 2021.

Mike Rice, BioLife Solutions Chairman and CEO, commented, “This is a great honor and recognition of the hard work the BioLife team has put in over many years to create long term shareholder value. Our quality culture empowers our team members to relentlessly focus on our customers, who have rewarded BioLife and our shareholders.”

About the S&P SmallCap 600 Index

The S&P SmallCap 600 index is a stock market index established by Standard & Poor’s that measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the market and is composed of 600 constituent companies in the U. S. equities market. The index is designed to track companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are liquid and financially viable and are selected by the S&P 600 Index Committee to maintain index representation with the broader market.  According to Standard and Poor’s, to be eligible for inclusion in the index, a company should be a U.S. company, have a market cap between $750 million to $3.3 billion, maintain a public float of at least 10% of its shares outstanding, and its most recent quarter’s earnings and the sum of its trailing four consecutive quarters’ earnings must be positive. As of December 31, 2020, the index’s median market cap was $1.26 billion and covered roughly three percent of the total U.S. stock market.

About BioLife Solutions

BioLife Solutions is a leading supplier of cell and gene therapy bioproduction products and services. Our portfolio includes our proprietary CryoStor^® freeze media and HypoThermosol^® shipping and storage media, ThawSTAR^® family of automated, water-free thawing products, evo^® cold chain management system, Custom Biogenic Systems^® high-capacity cryogenic freezers, Stirling Ultracold ULT freezers, and SciSafe biologic materials storage. For more information, please visit www.biolifesolutions.com, www.savsu.com, www.custombiogenics.com, www.scisafe.com, www.stirlingultracold.com, www.sextonbio.com and follow BioLife on Twitter.

Contacts:

At the Company
Roderick de Greef
Chief Financial Officer
(425) 686-6002
[email protected]

Investors
LHA Investor Relations
Jody Cain
(310) 691-7100
[email protected]

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SOURCE BioLife Solutions, Inc.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Chubb has appointed Richard Barnett Executive Vice President, head of North America Construction Surety. In this capacity, Mr. Barnett will be responsible for the underwriting, strategy and product management of construction surety products and services offered through Chubb’s global large accounts segment.   

Chubb is the fifth largest surety underwriter in the U.S., representing more than 70 of the Engineering News Record top 400 contractors. The business offers a wide variety of surety products and specializes in underwriting both commercial and contract bonds and has the capacity for bond issuance on an international basis.

Based in Whitehouse Station, N.J., Mr. Barnett will report to Stephen Haney, Vice President, Chubb Group, and Division President North America Surety, and Chief Underwriting Officer, Global Surety.

“Rich has close to four decades of global surety experience, with 35 years of them being at Chubb,” said Mr. Haney. “Having someone of his caliber and global underwriting experience in this role will help us  continue to provide qualifying firms the surety capacity needed to support a wide range of projects.”

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Barnett served as Surety Director of Engineering and Construction, where he had underwriting responsibility for Chubb’s large construction clients. He began his career at Chubb in 1986 as a Surety Underwriter, and throughout his tenure at Chubb has held a number of leadership roles with increasing responsibilities in North America and internationally. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from Wartburg College, Waverly, IA, and holds a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.

About Chubb
Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: chubb.com.

Chubb Insurance Company of Canada has offices in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver and provides its products and services through licensed insurance brokers across Canada. For additional information, visit: chubb.com/ca.

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SOURCE Chubb

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — NeuroOne Medical Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: NMTC) (NeuroOne or the Company), a medical technology company focused on improving surgical care options and outcomes for patients suffering from neurological disorders, was featured on Cheddar News, in a segment titled, “Can This Brain Implant Save Lives?” 

President and CEO of NeuroOne, Dave Rosa, joined Cheddar News to discuss NeuroOne’s latest device and advancements in neuroscience.

During the video interview, Mr. Rosa commented
“NeuroOne’s electrodes are really differentiated in that they have the capability of offering what I’ll refer to as high-definition. This provides better precision, better clarity and better visuals. That’s accomplished, if you think of it with respect to a TV, by adding more ‘pixels’, which adds more clarity. Our Evo Electrode that’s approved today has 16 points of contact in the brain. In this sEEG electrode (another electrode displayed), with same footprint, has 900 points of contact. You can imagine again, if you’re using the analogy with TVs having more pixels, there are so many more points of contact in the brain with our sEEG electrode versus what’s available today.”

“Another differentiating factor is the ability to perform multiple functions, so the therapies today that are available for patients that have epilepsy or Parkinson’s or chronic back pain, utilize different electrodes.  One electrode may do just the diagnostic part, but then the patient has to return for a second surgery to receive a different type of technology. The intention of our device is to provide and perform all the functions that a patient would need, just utilizing one device, so that’s a huge differentiating factor with what we have.”

To view the video interview in its entirety, please visit the link below:

https://cheddar.com/media/can-this-brain-implant-save-lives

 

About NeuroOne

NeuroOne Medical Technologies Corporation is a developmental stage company committed to providing minimally invasive and hi-definition solutions for EEG recording, brain stimulation and ablation solutions for patients suffering from epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremors, chronic pain due to failed back surgeries and other related neurological disorders that may improve patient outcomes and reduce procedural costs. For more information, visit https://www.n1mtc.com .

The Company previously announced it had successfully met the first performance milestone in the distribution and development agreement signed with Zimmer Biomet on July 20, 2020. In addition to acquiring exclusive global distribution rights to NeuroOne’s Evo™ (Evo) patented electrode technology, the partnership also offered the potential for NeuroOne to earn back-end milestone payments if certain events were met within a specified time frame.

NeuroOne received FDA clearance for its Evo cortical technology in November 2019.

In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and other prominent academic medical centers, the Company began developing its cortical electrode technology in 2015. The Company initially focused its efforts on the epilepsy and intraoperative tumor monitoring markets. NeuroOne intends to continue to develop the technology for use in therapeutic applications for Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and pain management due to failed back surgery procedures.

Forward Looking Statements

The video referenced in this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact, any information contained in this presentation may be a forward–looking statement that reflects NeuroOne’s current views about future events and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward–looking statements by the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “target,” “seek,” “contemplate,” “continue” and “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. Forward–looking statements may include statements regarding the development of the Company’s sEEG electrode technology program, the receipt of regulatory clearance, the timing and extent of product launch and commercialization of the technology, including in the therapeutic market, what the future may hold for electrical stimulation and NeuroOne’s potential role, business strategy, market size, potential growth opportunities, future operations, future efficiencies, and other financial and operating information. Although NeuroOne believes that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. Our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect due to factors largely outside our control, including risks that our strategic partnerships may not facilitate the commercialization or market acceptance of our technology; risks that our sEEG electrodes may not be ready for commercialization in a timely manner or at all; risks that our technology will not perform as expected based on results of our pre-clinical and clinical trials, our ability to raise additional funds, uncertainties inherent in the development process of our technology, changes in regulatory requirements or decisions of regulatory authorities, the size and growth potential of the markets for our technology, clinical trial patient enrollment, the results of clinical trials, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward–looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and NeuroOne undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward–looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

“Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician”

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SOURCE NeuroOne Medical Technologies Corporation

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today named Sarah Travis president of Roundel, the retailer’s in-house media company. Roundel helps advertisers connect directly with Target’s guests through personalized, relevant marketing messages across Target’s owned platforms and hundreds of brand-safe, off-platform channels.

Travis joins the company Sept. 13, and will report to Cara Sylvester, Target’s executive vice president and chief marketing and digital officer.

“Sarah has deep media expertise and a proven track record of creating and maximizing connections between brands and their core audiences,” said Sylvester. “She has a clear passion for the media industry and a strong understanding of what it takes to break through in today’s incredibly dynamic environment, and I’m confident that her leadership will position Roundel for continued success.”

Travis brings significant media experience to Roundel, having previously served as managing director of retail at Google. In her 13 years with the company, Travis held multiple executive roles in marketing and sales.

“I’ve long admired Target’s ability to understand and connect with its guests in a meaningful way, including the company’s unparalleled shopping experience and its innovative approach to marketing,” says Travis. “I’m looking forward to building on Roundel’s strong foundation and working with the team to drive additional growth for Target and its many partners.”

Target has invested significantly in enhancing Roundel’s products and capabilities over the last several years, including the introduction of new offerings related to programmatic advertising, closed-loop measurement and self-service performance tools. The media company has consistently outpaced its revenue goals since relaunching in 2019, and remains a growing and profitable segment of the retailer’s business.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at more than 1,900 stores and at Target.com, with the purpose of helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. Additional company information can be found by visiting its corporate website and press center and by following @TargetNews.

 

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SOURCE Target Corporation